A projected $35 billion aerial refueling tanker contract should be split between rivals Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Corp., Neil Abercrombie, who heads the House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee's panel on air and land forces, said Wednesday, according to Reuters.
Work on the Air Force tanker would create thousands of Southern California jobs regardless of who wins. But Northrop's bid, which includes partner EADS in Europe, is expected to create more local jobs.
Furthermore, a Northrop win would put the program's headquarters in El Segundo, although most manufacturing work would occur in other states.
Abercrombie said he would push to buy both competing models to replace the nation's aging tanker fleet.
"I think that a consensus is developing" in Congress on a dual-source approach, the Democrat from Hawaii told reporters after speaking to a defense industry conference. "I think we can come to a reasoned conclusion on getting both bids accepted."
you will get better results if u choose only one